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SEEMA MAHAJAN FEBRUARY 2020

Higher Education Digest February 2020

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February 2020

Vol - 2 Issue - 3

Women Leaders Special (India Edition) Editor in Chief

Dr. Manoj Varghese

Managing Editor Rose Mary

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Dr. Johny Andrews Anjana K Shyam S

Navya Venkatesh Stanly Lui Emma James

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Higher Education Digest February March 2019 2020

MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

Phenomenal Woman. That’s Us.

he 2020 Indian Republic Day celebrations witnessed history as Lt. Bhavana Kasturi led an all-male contingent in the Republic Day parade. She was the first-ever lady officer to do so. In other news, a group of strong women has been protesting against a controversial political act since late 2019 to the present day. Feminism, today, is a word so abused that at a point it lost its true meaning. Feminism is not man hating. It is giving women equal opportunity. For those who say, “but who/what is stopping women from doing what they want” we show the report from World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index 2020. Of the 153 country’s economies evaluated, India stands at 112. India is the only country where the economic gender gap is larger than the political gender gap. Similarly, 1 in 3 of the world’s child brides live in India. 102 million were married before the age of 15 of the country’s 223 million child brides according to a UNICEF report.

With Women’s Day just around the corner, we at Higher Education Digest bring to you a list of “10 Most Influential Women Leaders in Indian Education” to drive home the fact that the progress of the nation is inextricably linked with the status of its women. Because when the well-being of half the society is not ensured, it cannot develop. These women have not only proved their mettle in life and classrooms but also devoted their lives to the noble task of carving out a tribe of strong youngsters who can confidently shoulder tomorrow’s India. In the next couple of pages, you’ll also meet Upma Kapoor who has been encapsulating nature in a box and Alakshi Tomar, who has been encouraging women to break menstrual taboos like a boss. We also feature several experts who have obliged to give their two cents on all things educational. We hope this issue gives you the push that you have been waiting for to get down to the job at hand; make gender inequality a thing of the past. Wishing you all a happy Women’s Day!

Rose Mary

Higher Education Digest February 2020

ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc. Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Dr.Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB. Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD, Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE.

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com

Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Shanthi Rajan (MSHRM, FHEA, AMCILT) Director, Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus, UAE.

Senior Director HR. Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Suramya Mathai, Ph.D,M.Ed,MA,BA. Teachers Training Expert, Writer, Author, Speaker & Social Worker

1800 123 289456

Higher Education Digest February 2020

The Tech Savant Revolutionizing Education

Creating Utopia Through Education Dr. Anubhuti Dwivedi

Illustrating A Flawless Transition from Academician to Administrator

A Guidepost to Smashing Gender Norms Dr. Geeta Lathkar

Minal Anand

Dr. P. Hemalatha Reddy

8 Catalysing the Educational Revolution Janet J

Helping Students Find Their Ikigai

Venturing Out to Redefine Entertainment Industry Boundaries Meghna Ghai Puri

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Dr. T. Mythili

Finding the Silver Lining in The Darkest of Clouds

Ar. Vidya Singh

ACADEMIC VIEW

40 14 - 17

50 - 53

Why Do We Need Gender Equality?

Equipping Teachers to Help Students with Special Needs.

Niyatii N Shah, Sexuality Educator Counsellor

Sangeetha Rao, Special Education Teacher, BethuneBowman Middle/High School

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

76 - 78

5 Teach-from-Home Opportunities for Women to Look Out for in 2020 Maathangi Iyer, Diversity Champion, uFaber Edutech

YOUNG ACHIEVERS

A CONNOISSEUR OF

EXCELLENT EDUCATION

SEEMA MAHAJAN 26 - 28

64 - 68

Teal & Terraâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Presenting Nature in a Box

Helping Women Comfortably Sail the Crimson Wave

Upma Kapoor

Alakshi Tomar

Higher Education Digest February 2020

rom Sushma Swaraj, our Ex-Minister of External Affairs, Kiran MazumdarShaw, Founder of Biocon to Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, and Falguni Nayar, Founder, and CEO of Nykaa, women have determined their success in the cutthroat industry by making a place for themselves in the male-dominated culture and business processes. They are shaping the future of tomorrow and leaving no stone unturned when it comes to holding a position of leadership. According to Grant Thorntonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Women in Business Report 2019, there has been significant growth in women in leadership roles from 20% in 2018 to 29% in 2019. Even with marking the biggest increase in the proportion of women in these roles around the world, women are still fighting for their place in the male-dominated workforce. Though education has helped reform the age-old thinking of society when it comes to women on so many levels, some challenges still need to be taken care of. More and more women in leadership positions are pushing boundaries by utilizing their strengths, skills, knowledge, experience, and emotion. One thing is certain, women are powerful enough to mold our world and make a conscious effort to make and live the life they aspire for, irrespective of it being their workplace, home, or society at large. They are not just waiting for an opportunity; they are pursuing the things they want and seizing it! Taking the world by storm, the women who were stereotyped to be confined within the four walls of their homes are defining a new future, by breaking the generic norms and following their passion. Contributing to the upliftment of the Indian education system, these women are achieving success not just for themselves, but also for the betterment of the society. Out of the long list of motivating women in the Indian education field, we at the Higher Education Digest present â&#x20AC;&#x153;10 Most Influential Women Leaders in Indian Educationâ&#x20AC;?, to commend their efforts and draw inspiration from!

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Name Dr. Anubhuti Dwivedi

Designation

Institute

Dean Academics

Asian Business School

Dr. Geeta Lathkar

Director

MGMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College of Engineering

Ms. Janet J

Principal

Sri Krishna College of Engg and Technology

Ms. Meghna Ghai Puri

President

Whistling Woods International

Founder & CEO

GuruQ

Principal

Sri Venkateswara College

Ms. Seema Mahajan

Director

NMIMS- Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management

Ms. Sneha Rai

Principal

Freedom International School

Dr. T. Mythili

Director of Students Affairs

SRM Institute of Science and Technology

Director

Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Raipur

Ms. Minal Anand

Dr. P. Hemalatha Reddy

Ar. Vidya Singh

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Higher Education Digest January 2020

ACADEMIC VIEW

Why Do We Need Gender Equality? By Niyatii N Shah, Sexuality Educator Counsellor

T 14

he birth of a girl child is not welcomed in our country. The discrimination starts as soon as one knows the gender of the unborn child. Sometimes, she is killed as a fetus, and if she manages to see the light of day, she is killed as an infant. Gender inequality concerns both women and men. Historically, gender equality policies have been understood mainly as a “women’s issue” – as women have been a driving force behind gender equality strategies and struggles. Hence, to create true equality among genders, today we talk about all genders. Are you a girl or a boy? This is such a simple question that even a 3-year-old can answer. But do you know how many types of genders are there? Before you guess a number, I would like to make a very important distinction between sex and gender. In simple words, SEX is what your body is biologically and GENDER is what your mind thinks you are and how you feel about yourself. So you could be a girl by sex but feel masculine within and vice versa. This is socially constructed roles and responsibility in a given culture & location. We have all types of people – people who identify themselves as females, males, neither, both, or any other combinations. Equality means the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. ‘Gender Equality’ means the state in which access to status, rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender. Let me state some of these HUMAN RIGHTS which are not extended to all. 1. Freedom to express in any form – and yet we have homes, schools, colleges, and workplaces where many are not allowed to speak their minds or express their feelings or thoughts or ideas. The classic example being males can’t cry or females should not speak when males are discussing.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

‘Gender Equality’ means the state in which access to status, rights or opportunities is unaffected by gender

15 Niyatii N Shah

Niyatii N Shah is an enthusiastic, passionate and renowed sexual educator counsellor who believes in educating the kids on sex education, empowering them to make informed decisions and eradicating the hesitations and taboos around Sexuality. She is skilled in Negotiation, Coaching, Public Speaking, Curriculum Development, and Parent Coaching. Niyatii is a strong and passionate professional Trained Sex Educator who is focuses on Sex Education & Sexual Health from Institute of Human Technology.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

2. Freedom to move safely throughout the country – and yet we have children, young girls, women & transgenders fearing to move around in their localities. 3. Freedom to work – Yes, there are opportunities where young girls are employed happily but as soon as the woman is married or has children, the attitude of the employer changes. These women are not given the opportunities that men receive. The transgenders who do not fit into the social norms of appearance or behavior are not given jobs. The income also varies for different genders even if they all are working equally. 4. Educational rights ensure education for everyone irrespective of their caste, gender, religion, etc. But this is just in the books, girls are not allowed to be educated in many parts of our country. They are made to stay home once they attain their puberty. Children who look different or act differently than the sex they are born as are victims of non-admissions at schools. They are maimed with a lot of disrespect and are not included with other children. Right to Equality ensures equal rights for all the citizens. In India, discrimination towards either sex has existed for generations and affected the lives of all sexes. Although the constitution of India grants men and women equal rights, gender disparities remain. Have you ever thought, what happens to people who do not fit into the socially created genders (the male or the female)? 1. Non-acceptance – Imagine being ridiculed, called names, thrown out of your own homes just because you feel different than those who call themselves normal people. In most parts of India, girls are not accepted as their family once she is married. She is also not accepted as a part of her new family either. She longs to belong. Transgenders are not even accepted by their own parents. 2. Education gets affected – In India, the government has a social cause called BETI PADHAO. This movement comes in existence only because the girl child is not given adequate and equal education as the boys. Transgender children are not sent to school at all. They are often subjected to intense bullying that they’re unable to receive an adequate education. 3. Bullying – LGBT youth identified bullying problems as the second most important problem in their lives, after non-accepting families, compared to non-LGBT youth identifying classes/exams/grades.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Niyatii N Shah

There has never been a more important time for colleges and universities to act to protect and support all genders

4. Depression – In a study, about 78% of the students met the criteria for one or more mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, selfinjury and suicide risk. 5. Stress – Unfair treatment increases stress levels which can lead to greater chances of physical illness. 6. Suicide – Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth are 4 times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts. 7. Interpersonal relationships – Because of the discrimination between men and women and the dominance of the male gender in interpersonal relationships, the women are suppressed, and transgenders are not even considered as life partners. Men too are tortured and harassed for money and are expected to be the sole breadwinner When we talk about gender equality, we are basically talking about human beings who may identify themselves differently, but their basic human rights should remain intact. Gender equality is understood broadly as woman empowerment, but it is not so. It is about each human being, irrespective of their gender to be treated equally in all aspects. Things that we can do to bring equality: 1. Treat others in the way you would want to be treated. 2. Respect people’s choices. 3. Focus on talents, skills, and efforts, and not on gender. 4. Spread awareness amongst your friends, families, and peers. 5. Empower parents & teachers. 6. Allow a deserving person to take the positions of power and not dismiss because the person is not a male. 7. Encourage children of all genders to get educated. 8. Employ all genders because of their talents and skills. 9. Offer programs to educate about the rights of every human being. 10. Create communities for support. There has never been a more important time for colleges and universities to act to protect and support all genders. As young adults, I see hope in you. I hope that you will treat people as people, and not as male and female only. I hope you treat each other with respect. I hope you see good in people and not let their fashion or behavior influence you. Every human being has a right to be who they want to be. Wouldn’t you want your loved ones to completely accept you for who you are, for the ideologies you believe in?

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Dr. ANUBHUTI DWIVEDI

CREATING UTOPIA THROUGH EDUCATION

everal years back, a certain young girl witnessed the harsh realities of child marriage when her maid’s older daughter was married off. The child bride suffered at her in-law’s place but had no way of informing her parents of her ordeals as she did not know how to read and write. The young girl wished a better life for the maid’s younger daughter and, at the tender age of 9, took it upon herself to tutor the younger daughter enough so that she can write to her mother if she would ever face a problem. This created an impact so significant in the 9-year-old girl’s life, that she swore to do all she can to better the living conditions for the women around her. She realized that to fulfill her dream she had to be a teacher, because teaching would allow her to transform lives by leading the change. Years passed, and the 9-year-old girl grew up to be Dr. Anubhuti Dwivedi. She understands that just because things

Higher Education Digest February 2020

were in a certain way in the past, they need not be the same forever. “Being an educator empowers you to lead the change in society by nurturing young minds and hearts for bringing about a positive transformation in them, in the country, and the world. An educational leader must lead and direct their organization towards success by innovating and bringing about positive change not only in the organizational processes but also in the mindset of people,” she says. Two Decades of Changing Lives An educator for the past two decades, she joined Asian Business School (ABS) as the Dean of Academics three years back. She praises the working environment at ABS, citing that women are treated equally and are given due respect as well as opportunities to perform and excel. “The management is very clear in their vision of academic

Higher Education Digest February 2020

excellence and works ethically towards achieving the same. Given my experience, I can without any inhibition claim that Asian Business School has given me the best of opportunities for career progression. The kind of value system and work ethics that are ingrained at the core of Asian Business School has reinforced my commitment towards academic excellence and positive transformational leadership,” she adds. According to Dr. Anubhuti, ABS management, unlike its peers, places immense faith in their academic leaders. The independence of thoughts and action taken in sync with the organizational goals has always been encouraged and participative decision making giving due consideration to all stakeholders has always been followed at ABS. Everyone in the system is concerned about the well-being of students which makes ABS the best avenue for any sincere academic leader. Their focus on research and development is instrumental in promoting faculty members and academic leaders for excelling in various domains through research and training for upgradation of their knowledge.

Society’s Backbone- Women Education Anubhuti firmly believes that educating girls is the backbone of a progressive society. She is happy to note that, thanks to the increase in awareness programs, more and more women are opting for higher education and education in general. This has led to classrooms being an arena of gender equality, where debates regarding gender disparities are held. She is also proud that ABS have a clear policy of gender equality. “We strive to have a balanced number of girls in each section of the program. We also have an additional weightage of 5% for diversity in the selection process which facilitates gender diversity as a component. Moreover, during our Annual Fest – “Kesshet” and Annual Sports Meet – “Athleema”, girls are actively encouraged to participate in various activities,” she says. ABS also organizes various gender sensitization programs and has various processes in place to ensure gender equality. The unique Crafting Prodigy Program at ABS ensures that the faculty crafter allocated to a group of student prodigies takes individual care of all the students and ensures gender sensitization and equality on the campus.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

PENNY FOR THOUGHT Sharing her two cents with fellow aspiring women leaders, Dr. Anubhuti says that to lead change and create a path for yourself, you must keep abreast of the latest changes taking place in your respective fields and accordingly focus on developing your skills and also build your research direction. “As a leader, one should always believe in creating more leaders and not mere followers. For this, one needs to keep evolving oneself and become a role model for the team and the students. To achieve this, one needs to read a lot, network with experts, interact with other industry and academic leaders, and all this contributes tremendously in developing a person as an effective leader,” she concludes.

21 Shaping Young India Anubhuti believes, as should all excellent educators, that her students are the makers of New India, hence, should be given special attention and molded with love and care. She, therefore, takes her role as Dean of Academics very seriously when it comes to curriculum designing. Dr. Anubhuti takes care to implement programs that can enhance skill development and imbibe in the students the abilities to analyze, think critically and bring out innovative solutions to problems. She also has an important role in deciding the learning modules, by incorporating the latest industry trends and providing the ethical aspects of business management along with the financial and economic aspects. “Forging strategic tie-ups with industry and government organizations for providing practical exposure to our students and establishing global linkages has again been a part of my journey as the Dean. On one hand, we have a tie up with Oxford Business College U.K through which students gain cross-cultural international exposure, and on the other, we are a part of the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan in which we have been working for the development of

five villages making the students socially responsible and well connected to the roots of India,” she comments. It is no surprise that all these activities demand meticulous planning, discussions, and taking informed decisions after considering the opinions of the institute and industry professionals. However, thanks to her acumen and tact, Dr. Anubhuti deftly helps ABS take the necessary steps that can enhance the students’ skill sets, thus enabling them to perform as per what is expected out of them in the corporate sector and the society. Dr. Anubhuti’s takeaway from the last decade is that in today’s world one must possess leadership qualities to adapt to the VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world where we operate today. “With Industry 4.0 spreading its roots throughout the world, the basic training that has to be provided to students is not only about the concepts but about the skills that need to be developed and an attitude of continuously evolving by upgrading the acquired skills. At the same time, entrepreneurship development is also an important spectrum in the economic scenario today,” she adds.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Dr. GEETA LATHKAR

A GUIDEPOST TO SMASHING GENDER NORMS

rom housewives to C-level executives, women have been slaying at multitaskingand getting things done. At the sametime, women are often blamed for beingemotional. According to Dr. Geeta S.Lathkar, Director of MGM’s College ofEngineering, this emotional trait coupled with themultitasking ability makes women worthy of holdingeven the most demanding of the responsibilities, especially one that of a teacher. A teacher is someone who helps people around him find the purpose of education, the upliftment ofself. A teacher is someone who imparts wisdom and guiding an individual to fulfil his duties to the nation and further his self. Dr. Geeta has been overseeing the various activities and the curriculum at MGM’s College of Engineering that enables students to carry out their duty as a true citizen of the country, as well as find their purpose in life. “We ensure that apt group discussions and skill development sessions are organized to help our students realize their true

Higher Education Digest February 2020

selves. Moreover, various social and environmental activities ensure that they understand their role and duty towards being responsible citizens of the world,” she says. Dr. Geeta says that she loves being in the educational field as it is one of the most rewarding careers. “In my 35 years of experience as an educator, I have had the opportunity to help and guide several students who faced issues with problems and choosing a career.” A Family That Preaches and Practices Gender Equality Having earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, a supposedly male-dominated engineering field, Dr. Geeta reaffirms that gender should not be a defining factor. Whilst in college, as she was deliberating her choice of engineering specialty, her father sat her down and gave her a piece of advice that she still treasures to date. “He told me that I am entering a male-dominated field, so I must prove thatm gender

Dr. Geeta at Standford University

Higher Education Digest February 2020

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS • Dr. Geeta has received Gold Medal for the Best Research Paper by “Institutes Engineers India”. • There are 17 Research Scholers registered and 9 Research Scholers awarded Phd under her guidance. • She has published 41 National and International Journel

Publications

and

National

and

International Conference Publications. • She is recepient of “Best Director of the Year” award by Computer Society on India at IIT Mumbai

Dr. Geeta welcoming Lt. Col. Mukund Sarsar, MGM Alumnus as Chief Guest in Annual Social Gathering

in 2018. • She is also recepient “Savitribai Phule Award” by Zilla parishad, Nanded in the year 2019. • She awarded as “Best Principal Women (Engineering)” by Indian Sociaty of Technical Education, Maharashtra-Goa State. • Under her leadership, MGMCoE, Nanded

was first college to get NBA accreditation in Marathwada region in the both the Universities (Dr. BAMU Aurangabad and SRTMU Nanded) for the years 2006-09. Recently, under her leadership, MGMCoE, Nanded got accreditated by NAAC.

Dr. Geeta with renowned MGM Alumnus Mr Prashant Bhaduria, at HAL Bangalore

Higher Education Digest February 2020

is not a problem. I am lucky and grateful that my husband shares this mindset. Even my mother was a strong woman who did not take kindly this gender discrimination nonsense. She raised me to be a strong woman. In my opinion, mothers should raise their daughters to be strong women who are unafraid to explore and voice their opinions. More than the men, the onus on raising and helping other women rests with us,” she says. She further continues that she would also like to thank her college chairman and management, who trusted her to run the institution even when she was inexperienced. “I was just a rank holding graduate and they gave me the avenue to flourish. I am grateful to him for my professional life,” she adds. She stayed better connected with her two lovely kids Sudarshan and Indrayani, despite her hectic and busy schedule. Talking about her role models she says that Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, JRD Tata, and Sudha Moorthy have made a great impact in her life. However, Sudha Moorthy has a special place in her heart. “Sudha Moorthy, for me, is the epitome of being an educator, as with good professional ethics, one must also possess an empathetic heart and a kind humane giving mindset.” In the event of industrial and educational revolution 4.0, Dr. Geeta reminisces that while she was a student, the internet unheard of and hence had to invest time in the library. However, today, with a deluge of information available, students have no problem sifting through the millions of search result pages and finding answers. While this

Dr. Geeta as a Guest of Honour with Dr Udhav Bhosle at VDF College, Mumbai

Dr. Geeta with Prof. Konel F. Ehmann, North Western University, Chicago and Shri. Kamalkishor Kadam, Hon. Chairman, MGM Nanded

sounds good, unsupervised digital screen time is not. Not only does this impair psychological development, but it will also lead children to isolate themselves from real interpersonal interactions. She comments that this deluge of information is oftentimes a distraction and unwavering focus is the most common thing that students struggle with. At the same time, with technology advancing at lightning speed, education has become more practical oriented. Across the world, there has been a shift in the way education is perceived, yet in India, it still is 90% theory oriented. Books and black/smartboards can only teach so much. Hands on experience through project implementation are usually reserved for the last six months or so of the last year of the particular course. But the solution does not lie in introducing practical knowledge earlier on in the course, it lies in providing hands on experience to the teachers; because if they have no clue how things work, how can they teach students? At MGM, we take special care of our faculty and facilitate them

to attend seminars, faculty development program in companies of repute and exposure projects, both within and outside India. When asked about the barriers to women’s success, she replies that the most formidable barrier to one’s success is their mindset. “People around you can either hold you up or drag you down, built is up to you whether you want to soar or drown. Having more than 35 years of assoiciation as Head of Institute with MGM, has established strong bond with fellow alumni since 1984. Her colleagues consider this as great strength of the institution and creates inducive work environment in and around the whole institute. Her encouraging siblings and generous classmates and supportive colleagues never made feel Dr Geeta the gender bias. Dr Geeta has encouraged her fellow colleagues to organize the various skill develoment programs in the campus to brigde the gap between the indusrty and academia which make the students industry ready. This bridging has transformed the student’s life and helped them commence their career with better opportunities when they are on campus. Dr. Geeta takes pride in saying that alumni of MGM, Nanded have spread across the world in MNCs of repute like Facebook, Microsoft, etc and defence services. With the strong alumni base, she has established better relations with multinational companies. If you work hard and are persistent, then what is stopping you? For instance, Savitri Bhai Phule was an advocate for woman’s rights. If she can do that then, what is stopping you now?” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

YOUNG ACHEIVERS

Teal & Terraâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Presenting Nature in a Box By Navya Venkatesh

I 26

n the age of digitization and globalization, India has clearly seen a growth in women entrepreneurs. Coming from all walks of life, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s women entrepreneurs are dabbling into fields that were traditionally dominated by men. Currently, there has been a paradigm shift in the way women leaders are being perceived in the society, owing to many progressive women who are taking more senior roles in the corporate world. Women are now emerging from the close quarters of their homes and venturing beyond the corporate office space to launch successful businesses across industry segments that are acquiring increasing acceptance among consumers. The acceptance from consumers has also been a reason and a boost to women to venture into the field of entrepreneurship by getting investment from key players and standing their ground against established brands. Being an upcoming entrepreneur herself, Upma Kapoor, Founder of Teal & Terra, has great hope and heralds a positive note for the future. Setting Foot in the Organic Beauty Industry When the popularity of Vegan Skin and Hair Care products in India started getting popular, Upma Kapoor, an MBA graduate with 15 years of corporate experience, realized that these products, which are extremely popular with consumers, are at par with high-end imported foreign beauty care products. Upon researching this, she devised that with proper techniques, the natural benefits of our abundant flora could by harnessed, just like the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda. With this technique, she felt she could offer consumers a line of completely pure, organic, and natural products made in India, with much greater benefits. Her fool-proof research and techniques gave her the confidence to take the plunge into the organic beauty industry. Upma decided to establish Teal & Terra as an Indian Brand in 2017, bringing a line of purely natural beauty products for the consumers. She ensured the right use of ingredients and the promise of purity, giving Indian customers a local option for a natural skincare alternative. An ode to the faith in all-natural and organic products consumers have, The word Terra signifies the Mother Earth, which nourishes, provides and cares for all the living beings. While Teal refers to the green color of the abundant flora of forests surrounding us, that is harnessed by the company to come up with a range of purely natural products for consumers.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

India needs more women entrepreneurs to build the nation and change lives

Upma Kapoor

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Balancing her personal and professional life, Upma faced many challenges in life and her venture, Teal & Terra. The initial days of Upma’s journey in establishing the company were definitely tough. As she was starting out on her own, she had to pool in her savings and get funding from her friends and family. It was their goodwill and support that has helped in the launch of Teal & Terra, without relying upon any external investor. Another major hurdle she faced was gaining acceptance of the brand from the customers and face stiff competition from the established players in the Organic Beauty Industry Market. But as consumers started to know about the product and use it, their reviews of the same helped Teal & Terra gain the acceptance and recognition it aspired for. Within a short span of time, All the hard work and perseverance have paid off and Teal & Terra has managed to carve a niche of its own. Upma Kapoor

28 One must take calculated risks that have a potential pay off in the long run, rather than worry about failing

Higher Education Digest February 2020

A Rewarding Journey In her quest of establishing Teal & Terra as a popular organic brand, Upma has learned some valuable lessons that she believes will serve as a guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. Launching her brand, establishing it, and sustaining a customer base has taught her that one needs to have a systematic approach for things to go as smoothly as possible. One must take calculated risks that have a potential pay off in the long run, rather than worry about failing. Along with this, she learned that in order to achieve the goals you have set for yourself; you must work hard and smart! Advising future budding entrepreneurs to not get embroiled in negative criticism, she feels that the criticism can be taken to their advantage to help improve their ventures and themselves. From philanthropy to investing in entrepreneurship, women face unique challenges in their quests to make an impact. In spite of cultural and systemic hurdles, women continue to rise through the ranks of impact-focused firms, smashing old paradigms and creating better, more inclusive business models. India needs more women entrepreneurs to build the nation and change lives. It is time to make India more accommodating to women entrepreneurs and get our society to a place where they are just called “entrepreneurs”. Success stories of women entrepreneurs like Upma Kapoor’s must be brought into the light as this can inspire many more to step out of their domestic territories and take charge!

Want to find Investor for your Startup? 29

Higher Education Digest February 2020

JANET J

CATALYSING THE EDUCATIONAL REVOLUTION

ducation is the very foundation on which we build a promising future. The very purpose of education is to teach values, develop stimulated intellect, dig out opportunities to question what exists, and contribute to the growth of the human society. In this respect, an educator’s role counts for one of the most important. As a woman educator, the gravity of the role further increases. However, Janet has been, for years now, fulfilling this role to the hilt! A proud change-maker, who is unafraid of going the extra mile, Janet J has pushed limits to reach for the sky. Currently the Principal of Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology, she has been sharing her knowledge, motivating those around her to think outside the box and march firmly towards goals and evolve successfully through her life’s experiences.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Education in the DNA Hailing from a family of educationalists, Janet’s parents have held various positions like Higher Secondary School Headmaster and PG Teacher, and she holds her father, Mr. Jayaraj as her role model. “He has always given me the courage and confidence to be the best that I could be at whatever I did. He helped me figure out solutions to problems when I need an extra push, but at the same time, he motivated me to learn things on my own. He taught me that ‘opportunities are golden, make the best use of it’, which stands to be my mantra of success,” she recounts. A born orator, she has conquered the stages of TedX, National Leadership Summits, and World Education Summit. Janet joined Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology (SKCET) in November 2016. At the time of her joining,

Higher Education Digest February 2020

SKCET was one of the top Autonomous Institutions in Tamil Nadu. “I had a strong intuition that I could help evolve SKCET as a University and grow with it, as an individual. With a diverse range of departments offering Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs with state-of-the-art research facilities, I perceived that the Institution would be the right career choice to explore and deploy my academic leadership skills in the field of Engineering Education,” she says. Growing up in an atmosphere so closely associated with education, Janet has maintained a keen observation of educational transformations. “We have come a long way from blackboards and chalks. Students today are accustomed to an advanced level of learning through smart boards, flipped classrooms, MOOCs, industry-interactions, and internships and projects. Blooms Taxonomy has advanced to match the current generation’s trend of education, focusing on Higher Order Thinking Skills. Their learning culture has shifted from ‘bookish knowledge’ to ‘practical skill development’ through extensive use of project-based learning blended with cutting edge technology,” she says. Education 4.0 She continues to say that Industry 4.0 has kicked off the thought process for Education 4.0 as well, and industry demands have raised the standard of education. SKCET’s curriculum focuses on skill development and sustainability, resulting in SKCET collaborating with leading Industries to establish Centres of Excellence in niche areas like Artificial Intelligence and Data Science. SKCET is also positively looking into introducing Future skill courses like AI – ML, Data Analytics, Big data, and IoT in the future. Watching the Indian educational domain, she comments that India has several people selflessly working, in their capacity, towards the betterment of the society. Prominent educationalists like Kiran Bir Sethi and Safeena Husain are setting the footpath towards a revolutionary educational transformation in the current Indian Education setting. Meanwhile, corporate Women leaders like Debjani Ghosh (President, NASSCOM), Geetha Kannan (Managing director, Anitab.org India) and Ashni Dwarkadas (Hackberry) are some of the inspirational women who have reached great

Higher Education Digest February 2020

heights, raising the bar of education even higher. These contemporaries are a source of enlightening inspiration for young women to pave their success road map. In her capacity, she, too, has undertaken several initiatives. When asked about some of them, she says, “giving back to the community is my passion, and as the Principal of SKCET, I am proud to have spearheaded the adoption of the villages and panchayats of Perur-Chettipalayam, Arumugakaundanoor, Kalampalayam, Madukarai, Thalaiyur, Pooluvapatti, Teethipalayam, Sulur, Vellaloor, and Sundakamuthur at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. I have always had the thirst to share my knowledge with those in need and my R&D proposals have been one way in which I could contribute to the society.” Similarly, the following women-specific projects were mentored and formulated by Janet that led to impactful women empowerment. • DST SEED - Developing Women Entrepreneurs in the field of millet food production to ensure nutritional security. • DST-CHORD - Unification of newness and social entrepreneurship economic empowerment of Rural Women in Coimbatore city. • DST-WoS A - Impact of gender mainstreaming schemes in the science of government of India. The proposal focuses to gain recognition for the women in science by increasing the enrolment of women in Higher Education. • DST-SHRI: Exploring and Eliciting the Royal Heritage of Badaga community, which enhanced the Civilization in the Nilgris. Using her position as a respectable member of the society, • She founded Women Empowerment Centre in association with Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) at Vel Tech University in 2009, • Conducted Popularisation of Science Activity, “Basic Computer Education for Women Empowerment” with funding from TNSCST, Chennai and NCSTC, Delhi at MGR University in 2011 and Vel Tech University in 2010, and • Spearheaded the Women Empowerment Cell at SKCET and organized various activities to uplift the morale of the women community.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS Under Janet’s guidance, SKCET: • Declared as ‘The Best Engineering College in Tamil Nadu 2019’ for its outstanding and exemplary contribution towards education, skill development and research on 19th Dec’19 in New Delhi during the 12th Rashtriya Shiksha Gaurav Puraskar Ceremony • Conferred with Second National Rank in SWACHH Campus Rankings 2019, consecutively for the second year amongst the Higher Educational Institutions in the country by Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. • Acquired “National Third Rank” for the One Student-One Tree Initiative in Jal Shakti Abhiyan for the exemplary green cover ventures initiated with Mega Plantation of 10,050 trees at SKCET campus. • ‘Distinctive Citation’ for the category ‘Research and Innovation in Higher Education’ ‘Torchbearer’ in ‘Higher Education Category’ from India Didac Association partnered with MSDE, MIET, AICTE, Digital India, Skill India, and UNESCO. • Received Academic Partner Excellence Award 2019 from ICT Academy.

• Accredited by NAAC • Only South Indian institution to jointly offer an exclusive B.E degree program in Computer Science and Business Systems in partnership with TCS Ltd. • Recognized with SIRO by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR). • Selected as a nodal center for MHRD INNOVATION CELL.

Empowerment from Within According to Janet there is no tougher barrier than her mindset to an aspiring woman. It is time for women to stand up and shatter the glass ceiling and build our self-confidence. From her perspective, Janet has a couple of adages that an aspiring woman leader must have: • Know and understand. • Believe in yourself. • Aspire and think. • What you think will come to pass. • You are more powerful than you know.

• A strong woman stands up for herself. But a leader stands up for everybody else. Rise if you fall. • Never stop learning. • Finally, never think you are not ready for something. Learn by doing. All these she speaks from her experience. Janet says that she is a change agent and that if we work strategically, change is possible. “Be it system or people relationships, I believe that we can formulate and succeed if we put our mind and heart into it. All that is needed is a strong mindset, firm determination and a leap of faith to take,” concludes Janet.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

MEGHNA GHAI PURI

VENTURING OUT TO REDEFINE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY

BOUNDARIES

n 1983 Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win an Academy Award for her work in the movie “Gandhi”. Since then, a total of 5 Indians has held the gold-plated bronze knight. Only 5. It is surely not for the lack of incredible talent that we do not have more Oscar winners. The Indian movie industry has time and again showed the need for a place of learning, where students are pushed out of their comfort zones to test the limits of their creative thinking ability and can return to their roots to create art that showcase brilliance. Meghna Ghai Puri grew up watching her father, Subhash Ghai, create masterpieces on the big screen. She saw what good movies do for the public, as movies can drive home a point more effectively than any other medium. Mr. Ghai was first a teacher at heart and then a filmmaker. He dreamt of setting up a place of learning where like minds share their experiences to create a generation art wizards. He

Higher Education Digest February 2020

called for Meghna, who was in the UK at the time, to start working on such an institution. She immediately returned home to fulfill her father’s dream, and along the journey his dream became hers. Thus, was born, Whistling Woods International. When she flew down from UK to join the 4-member team, WWI was just in the ideation stage. It took 6 years for them to come with the proper blueprint of what their vision would look like. “In those 6 years, we visited several film schools all over the world and spent years putting a world-class curriculum together. We worked vigorously to make this a state-of-the-art institution. A lot of time was invested in the research and planning of the entire infrastructure. We worked together for everything, be it the architectural design of the building to course curriculum design, finalizing the faculties, marketing, finance, HR, etc. Then we finally took in our first batch in 2006. It soon became my core

Meghna Ghai Puri with her father, Subhash Ghai

Higher Education Digest February 2020

team and my responsibility to take it to the next level and to make his dream come true. In the process of doing so, his dream became mine. It has been a journey full of ups and downs and I have cherished every moment of it,” she recalls. Today, Meghna sits as the President of Whistling Woods International, keeping alive her father’s fire for creating art champions. “At Whistling Woods International (WWI), we encourage our students to push their academic and artistic limits and make the most of their time in academia. WWI is perhaps the only film, communication, and creative arts institute in India that adopts a holistic approach towards education. Through our various schools, we always try to equip our students with the latest theoretical and practical advancements, while exposing them to a wide range of opinions and viewpoints through regular masterclasses and workshops conducted by industry experts. Our student body is also exceedingly diverse – something that we actively encourage – with students from across India and world associating with each other and exchanging ideas and opinions. All of this is complemented by our faculty, who are some of the finest minds in their respective fields, and continuously work to open the minds of those they teach,” says Meghna Ghai. Of all the awards and recognitions that WWI has garnered under Meghna’s capable leadership, she considers the success of WWI alumni as the greatest achievement. Today, the institute’s 2200+ alumni body includes highly successful professionals playing key roles in India’s rapidly growing Film, Media, Entertainment, and Creative Arts industry and working in various creative arts industries around the world. Having studied in India and the UK, where she did the International Baccalaureate in high school and study Management at Kings College London, Meghna is no stranger to the shifts in education in India and abroad. She says, “The biggest recent development in the Indian education sector has been the Draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019. The introduction of new educators is bound to have a net positive impact on the sector. Their arrival will be accompanied by an infusion of funds, allowing for world-class teachers to be recruited and trained.” She further adds that E-learning and digitization have opened new and exciting pathways within the education sector allowing a vast number of people to attain knowledge and qualifications. “Whistling Woods International has always been at the forefront of advancing the education sector, and we’ve done so in this instance as well with the introduction of the WWI Virtual Academy. Our

Higher Education Digest February 2020

PENNY FOR THOUGHT If we’re to change mindsets and encourage girls in India to aspire for education, we need powerful voices across the gender divide lending their support to the cause. But even more important is changing opinions on the ground. This can only be achieved by educating the populace, especially in rural areas of the country, on the potential futures that education can unlock. If we’re to fully utilize the untapped potential of India’s female population, we need everyday heroes, like how Malala’s father was to her, to step up and support their girls’ dreams.

WORKING WITHIN THE SOCIETY, FOR THE SOCIETY Whistling Woods International, through its course of operation for the past decade, has proudly associated with several NGOs, namely, Salaam Baalak Trust & Aseema to offer a scholarship to underprivileged students who are extremely passionate about making their careers in the media and entertainment industry. The institute has also partnered with initiatives like Laadli - A Population First Initiative, creating awareness about gender equality, women empowerment, female foeticide and cherishing every child; KASHISH Mumbai International Queer Film Festival, sensitizing the larger public about LGBT issues; and Be The Change - Varija Life Initiative, spreading awareness about the abilities of the physically & mentally disabled individuals and including them in the mainstream society.

pioneering e-learning platform offers video-based courses across multiple creative fields. Through the melding of technology with our unique teaching methodologies, the WWI Virtual Academy allows aspirants from across the country the opportunity to explore a career in the creative arts through a flexible, state-of-the-art curriculum.” Needless to say, due to the strong bond that the father-daughter duo share, Meghna holds her father as her mentor. She also holds her mother, who has helped her build a solid value system, as her pillar of support. “If I had to pick someone from outside my family, it would have to be former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. An intelligent, forceful woman, she reached the heights of political success in a profession and era dominated by men. Her steely resolution, her determination to do what she felt was right, and her unwillingness to back down in the face of adversity are all fantastic traits and have been a constant source of inspiration throughout my career,” she comments. Speaking of women empowerment, Meghna says that perhaps the greatest single obstacle preventing women from progressing to leadership roles is an inherent societal bias against women in positions of power. This is despite the fact that over the past decades, women have thoroughly eradicated any doubts that may have existed about our capabilities. This bias prevents women from receiving the recognition they are due and serves as a constant hindrance throughout their careers. Encouraging every working woman to write your own rules, reach for success with both hands, and never lose faith in yourself, Meghna iterates that no matter the circumstances, the only person with the power to shape your future is you. “I am proud to be a part of the women tribe who have made great strides in recent decades, and I eagerly look forward to the day when we don’t need to discuss the difference between men and women anymore. The present-day urban woman is independent, strong-willed, and knows their mind. Maintaining a steady career and family is empowering for a woman and boosts their selfesteem. My only advice to every woman would be, people will tell you what to do; it is your decision in the end. Most importantly do what you love and love what you do. There is nothing more fulfilling than to be doing something that makes you happy,” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

A CONNOISSEUR OF

EXCELLENT EDUCATION

SEEMA MAHAJAN By Rose Mary

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Seema Mahajan

ndian education domain has no dearth of mentors. But a mark of a true mentor is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination. In this respect, Prof Seema Mahajan is a true paragon of quality mentorship. Seema believes that the primary purpose of education is to ensure the holistic development of the student. One’s marksheet is not a comprehensive measure of his / her knowledge and intellect. “Education gives new impetus to young minds so that students align themselves to global and local societies and play an active role as responsible individuals. To achieve the same, along with my MBA Faculty, we created and designed MBA Entrepreneurship and Family Business (2 years’ Full Time Program) for second and third generation entrepreneurs of the country. The program we pioneered at NMIMS was started with six students in 1991 along with our flagship program. The students gain an insight from eminent management faculty, area/ domain experts, business entrepreneurs, their own parents and industry guest speakers while exploring their business interests and dive deeper into the discipline and gain economic proficiency,” she says. Although Seema did not start off with the intent of becoming an educator, her ability to keep an open mind, say yes to challenges, and give her absolute best to the smallest of the tasks that come on way, all took

Higher Education Digest February 2020

her to the respectable position she now holds. Seema, who was then a professor in-charge at NMIMS - School of Business Management, led the initiative to set up the Centre of Entrepreneurship and Family Business to today’s prestigious Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship & Family Business Management at NMIMS Deemed to be University. This is now an independent School at NMIMS Deemed to be University and is one of the most powerful initiative of School of Business Management in nurturing Family Businesses of the Country and leading entrepreneurship ventures after serious understanding of the said market. Today, as she presides over the School as the Director and has the mammoth task of leading the school operations and being responsible for the success of its participants and the program. Despite the sheer weight of the role she has taken upon herself, she carries out her duties with utmost perfection and elan. “It was a challenge I was ready to take on. Setting goals, strategizing to grow the course, designing and delivering as per the expectations of the said segments, understanding business operations of family run organizations and achieving milestones along the way was arduous and entailed extreme measures of dedication and drive. Embracing the perfectionist that I grew up to be, I never settled for anything but the best when it came to selecting faculty, sector specific expertise and industry experts. The ordeal of convincing others of the credibility of a nascent course and encouraging professors to teach has now revolutionized into an unparalleled functioning system,” she comments. At NMIMS-Pravin Dalal School of Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management, Prof. Seema Mahajan has used her strong international connect to help students delve deeper and understand world class business practices from countries like Italy, Germany, Spain, and Belgium, China, Japan and Korea. With a strong social connect with each student, Prof. Mahajan and her team play an important role in mentoring & transforming family businesses, structuring operations, settling family disputes, handling crisis, laying down governance systems, and assisting in business expansions and diversifications. She believes that one has to become an integral part of the family to deliver

PENNY FOR THOUGHT Ms. Seema understands that the education system is changing with every technological innovation, and hence is imperative to stay ahead of these tech improvements. “Keeping pace with these altering requirements and advancing technology is of prime importance to me. This way we stay ahead of the game and allow the students to blossom in the right environment,” she comments. A staunch advocate for gender equality, she urges families that still believe women must belong in the kitchen, to change their mindset. Manifesting the “go-getter” attitude, she exclaims, “It is high time the society acknowledge that women are not simply breadmakers, they are breadwinners too!”

This advocacy is reflected in her professional life too, as Seema has a zero-tolerance stance for any kind of discrimination. Her students go through the same procedure for entrance and are given equal opportunities throughout the course of five years.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

the best. She further believes that faculty members at her school are oriented towards leading the role of CHANGE AGENTS and contribute in family business growth story. Today the PD School of Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management is proud of its alumni of over 4000 entrepreneurs with turnovers ranging from 30 crores to 4500 crores and holds not less than 400 young entrepreneurs on campus at any given time. The School has led more than 20 delegations outside India to learn best business practices and over 2000 entrepreneurs have been benefitted by this. She’s very happy to say that her very successful alumni was “Made in India”. Furthermore, the school enjoys retaining clientele as more than 71% of the students joined this course merely by word of mouth and have trained the different generations of the same family. Breaking Old Education Norms Like a Pro While growing up, she like her peers, did not enjoy the freedom to ask questions to her teachers and enter into a discussion with them. She reminisces that learning at that time was prosaic - a constrained concept where there was no reciprocity of ideas; a one-way exercise and learning was predominantly theoretical. However, when it was her chance to change this situation, she kept no stone unturned. “I, along with my colleagues, have tried to break this age-old notion where the lecturer is regarded as the treasurer and importer of knowledge. Professors teaching today are readily open to advise, opinion and several spectrums of solutions. Classes involve sufficient practical demonstration and activities outside the classroom which is crucial to the amalgamation of a corresponding diversity in skills,” she says. Looking back, she says that the success of her initiatives has instilled in her a sense of confidence and has reinforced the spirit for all future endeavours. “However, I have learned to remain humble through all my achievements. I have also learned the importance of harboring problem-solving skills, which have not only helped me become a more empathetic person but also allowed me to think more rationally and profoundly. I now accolade myself to be approachable and apply this talent regularly, ranging from helping a student from time to time to resolve issues in management,” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

MINAL ANAND

THE TECH SAVANT REVOLUTIONIZING EDUCATION

here are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root. For Minal Anand, Founder of GuruQ, the one striking at the root is Education. An educated person is less likely to commit crimes that arise due to lack of education and education is also the key to ending poverty. For Minal, the purpose of education is for individuals to attain a well-balanced perception of the world around them. True education will enable individuals to stay true to their social responsibilities and contribute to the upliftment of the society by being model citizens. Although the general perception of education has changed with an increasing number of students opting for interactive and personalized e-learning, there still exists a wide gap between

Higher Education Digest February 2020

domestic students and students studying abroad. Unfortunately, our students still rely heavily on the traditional mode of disseminating knowledge with little or no emphasis being put on making students tech-savvy. School lessons do not cut it anymore and parents are frantically searching for tutors to help their children to acquire a better understanding of subject/s and thus, to score better in exams. Birth of GuruQ Minal realized that a safe and a quality learning environment is extremely important to parents while searching for tutors and it is not advisable to trust just random tutors. This realization propelled her to start a single, simplified, and cohesive platform that onboarded only the most trustworthy, qualified, and proficient tutors

Higher Education Digest February 2020

who could skilfully impart their knowledge to students and help them to pass with flying colors. Thus, was born, GuruQ, a platform that enables students to ‘find the right tutor’ and avail of affordably priced tech-driven education via both online or offline mode. Since inception, GuruQ has been receiving laurels. But the journey from idea to fruition was not a walk in the park. “Parents were hesitant to switch from tutors acquired via references to an online tutoring platform as it is quite natural for people to not go beyond their comfort zone and to want to stick to the familiar. We had instances where people would call us up and want to make bookings over a call rather than use the extremely user-friendly and highly interactive dashboard. However, once our team was able to win their faith and the efficiency of our offerings were proven, these issues were quickly resolved. Once parents and students alike began to benefit from the advantages of our platform, be it in terms of price, flexibility, high- quality, safety, or ease of use they began to vouch for GuruQ and recommend it to their family and friends. We also faced challenges across various areas such as the processes, technology, design, etc but with single-minded focus, dedication, and perseverance we were able to overcome them,” she comments. Essence of Education Treasuring Indra Nooyi’s terrific journey to world-wide fame, Warren Buffet’s humility, Azim Premji and Bill Gates’ philanthropy, and Sheryl Sandberg’s leadership skills, Minal has her heart and mind in the right place. A prime example of this is that since the very beginning, Minal and her team have devoted resources to initiate varied CSR programs every year. One such initiative is the GuruQ Knowledge Pyramid, a one-of-a-kind program to uplift underprivileged children. The team conceived the idea of creating a pyramid of bookshelves, wherein people can donate books. The activity done in collaboration with CRY had received an overwhelming response from people across the board, resulting in the collection and donation of over 8000 books. In the following years, they hired a truck and decorated it with Knowledge Pyramid

Higher Education Digest February 2020

PENNY FOR THOUGHT Minal understands that despite the changing times, Men are still perceived as born leaders compared to Women. Because of this warped mindset, Women must push harder to gain acceptance as leaders while a Man can seemingly command it. “Unlike our male counterparts, women have to work twice as hard and prove ourselves repeatedly to gain the same amount of respect and confidence. However, having said that perceptions hold little importance in the face of results and accomplishing goals. Women are making waves as outstanding leaders and entrepreneurs in every sector and gaining recognition and accolades for it. Aspiring women can overcome these barriers by not paying heed to the naysayers. Women need to stand up for themselves when they feel that they are not being given their due credit. Having an unflinching conviction in your dreams is always essential. One needs to set goals and enjoy the journey of achieving and exceeding them which will silence critics. At the same time, the society must also strive to not just view women as equals but also give them the respect they deserve,” says the proud entrepreneur. Be fearless when it comes to pursuing your dreams. Taking risks is imperative for success but take only calculated risks. A leader is ideally a source of inspiration for countless others so put in the time and the effort to get as good as it gets. Hard work coupled with smart decisions always pays off. To become a leader and to maintain that position, one must never stop learning. Stay updated about the latest trends and innovations in your respective fields.

Minal Anand

branding. Christened Knowledge Pyramid On-The-Go, the motive behind this initiative was to enable more people to participate by removing the time and distance constraints that people had. GuruQ also have other initiatives in the making, which are designed to provide quality education in the remote parts of the nation, where quality schooling is inaccessible. The team is also in talks with collaborating with NGOs, local communities and governments to further this aim. “We will be training the tutors in the said areas and equip them with the latest knowledge in teaching methodologies, apart from providing the necessary tools required for quality learning and teaching,” Minal remarks. Women Lift Up Women A Boston Graduate, Minal remarks that young women entrepreneurs in the field of education have embarked on a mission to make learning more fun and interactive. They are working tirelessly to offer the benefits of customized learning to every part of the country. Blessed with foresight, young women know that the upliftment of a nation takes place through the empowerment of future generations with required skills. In the process of raising tech-savvy future generations, the present generation is also being exposed to the world of

technological innovations and acquiring know-how of the ever-changing trends and developments. Our skill sets are expanding at a rapid pace and we are learning as we impart tech-led education. Young women are aiming at disseminating technological education to students, parents, guardians and teachers alike. Speaking of fostering gender equality and empowering women, Minal is proud that at GuruQ, about 65% of the employees are women. “We intend to empower women in India and transform their lives. We are making them key drivers of household income, providing them independence and respect. We go by the same philosophy while on-boarding female tutors on to our platform,” she says. Excited for 2020, Minal is looking forward to launching the GuruQ app and expand to 8- 10 Tier 1 and 2 cities in North India. GuruQ is also all set to enter corporate training and equip employees with confidence by bettering their communication skills. “We have the most highly-qualified and proficient tutors that we will leverage to train corporate employees. Most importantly we are in talks for another round of funding and the funds raised will be used for expansion, R&D, technological innovation and for hiring top talent” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

ACADEMIC VIEW

Equipping Teachers to help Students with Special Needs. By Sangeetha Rao, Special Education Teacher, Bethune-Bowman Middle/High School

C 50

alling out a child with a disability in front of the class usually backfires and makes the situation worse. Over time, a teacher has to figure out how to navigate these situations and talk students “down from the ledge’’, and also learn how to keep students with disabilities on task and break down lessons into smaller, easier bits of information for those who were struggling. Learning disabilities impact the way children can process and understand information, they are neurological disorders that might manifest themselves as difficulty listening, thinking, writing, speaking, spelling, or doing mathematical calculations. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyspraxia, Visual perception disorders, auditory processing disorders, and language disorders fall under the umbrella of learning disorders. Many children with ADHD also have comorbid learning disorders. The only thing a teacher has to figure it out on the job to know where the child is. His/her strengths, weaknesses, likes and dislikes to plan strategically the IEP’s and use the VAKT as well as a differentiated method of teaching. Special-education teacher to modify lesson plans and tests, the special-education teacher and the main-stream teacher switch off during lessons, effortlessly picking up where the other has left off. They both give directions and explain content. Teacher preparation should include more classroom management and “subtle ways” to keep students focused and on task. It’s also important for teacher candidates to be exposed to different classrooms, including inclusion classrooms, to ensure teacher preparation is not “so out of context.” Students with disabilities can master general-education content if they receive educational supports. Supports can include access to a special-education teacher, having test questions read aloud, or being allowed to sit in a certain part of the classroom. The positives are that these children get more instructional time, have fewer absences, have better post-secondary outcomes, benefit socially by forming positive relationships and learning how to be at ease with a variety of people. The problem is that

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities

51 Sangeetha Rao

Born in Hyderabad, India, Sangeetha Rao is Special Education Teacher for the Learning Disabled children. Starting her career as a fashion designer, she switched to the teaching field in 2007. Sangeetha has a diploma in Special Education and very passionate about her job. She has taught children in India, but her stint in the USA has helped her enhance her professional development skills in the stream of Multiple Disabilities. She strongly believes in spreading awareness about being helpful and bring happiness on the faces of the children giving them the support and care they need.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

it takes much more than just placing students with disabilities next to their general-education peers: Teachers must have the time, support, and training to provide a high-quality education based on a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s needs as they need to collaborate with the special educator to modify tests and provide them required accommodation. As I have worked in the USA classroom, I have noticed an immense difference between the approach taken towards the children with disabilities starting from a very uniform process in which struggling students in the United States are identified as qualifying for special education services. An assessment plan is sent home to obtain parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; permission to assess their child. Once the parent signs the form and gives consent, the school has 60 days to do all of the testings and have a meeting on the results. After testing has been completed, an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) meeting is held. At the IEP meeting, the testing results are presented to the members of the IEP Team. This team consists of an Administrator (Principal or Designee), school psychologist, special education teacher, the parent of the child, the school nurse, and other personnel when appropriate (such as a counselor or behavior therapist if the child has serious discipline issues or a language and speech (LAS) specialist if the child has articulation or language processing issues). The assessment reports of the school psychologist, special education teacher, school nurse, and LAS (if necessary) are presented. The first thing that is decided is whether the child has a disability and qualifies for special education services. If the child is found to be eligible, an IEP is written for that child. The IEP consists of several parts: goals, services provided, related services if necessary, accommodations and/or modifications, assistive technology, transportation, extended school year and transition (if the child is age 16 or older). But when you emphasize the scenario in our country, many educators think that the whole special education system is not needed in the school system and tend to overlook the problems. The teachers are not trained to identify the children with special needs in the classroom, devise a proper plan or bring the concerned person into helping the child. Such kind of provision is available mostly in international schools where the teachers are provided with the right professional development. Sometimes, there

Higher Education Digest February 2020

At the beginning of the year, there has to be a meet with the students in the integration classes and teach them about our exceptional students, from their likes and dislikes to the ways they learn

is also a situation where the special educators have a notion that the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) doesn’t serve a purpose, which is a road map to the teachers to where the teacher is heading with the pupil and what strategies she/he needs to change or incorporate. Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. Different types of services are provided to children based on their learning needs like Students with disabilities who require minimal intervention often receive “push-in” services as a first step in the special education process. An occupational therapist will assist the teacher during regular lesson plans for the day. Students who need a bit more focused help from a speech-language therapist, occupational therapist or another specialist may be pulled out of the classroom for work in a one-on-one or group setting. Students who struggle in reading, writing, or speech are often placed within these types of programs. Inclusive classrooms will have a mix of children of varying abilities and co-teachers within the room that allows those who have special needs to get the additional help they require while remaining in a traditional classroom setting. Often, some of the students within the classroom may receive some pullout services in addition to their assisted learning. Then, we have Exclusive Education where students benefit from being placed in a smaller classroom of students who have similar educational needs. Though they may remain within a traditional school setting and residential schools for other severe disabilities. However, the teachers can improve

the students with special needs in the classroom by incorporating cooperative teaching, which includes modulation and improvisation in the presentation of content in lesson methodologies, engaging students in a cooperative learning activity. The cooperative learning strategy (Jigsaw, STAD, Think-pair-share, Numbered heads), in cooperative learning, although it is teamwork everybody is tested in line with her or his achievement potential and team recognition. A strategic approach that supports a successful integration by developing measurable and realistic goals. A student may be in the fifth grade, but at a kindergarten level cognitively. By using proper testing or an assessment and collaborating with the school team, can decide what grade would be appropriate to integrate into. A special educator has to collaborate with the mainstream teacher to collaborate a schedule and also share IEP’s, strengths, needs, accommodations and modifications for the student’s success and also open up the lines of communication to allow for the sharing of materials and develop a system for the teacher to keep you up to date with what is going on in the classroom. Integration helps mainstream students learn about tolerance, acceptance, and teamwork amidst differing ability levels. At the beginning of the year, there has to be a meet with the students in the integration classes and teach them about our exceptional students, from their likes and dislikes to the ways they learn. If a student feels welcomed by their peers when they walk into a classroom, they will be more motivated to socially engage with their peers, complete tasks, and contribute to the classroom. To any child, the teacher believing in him/her gives an immense intrinsic motivation, which leads to wonders!

Higher Education Digest February 2020

DR. P. HEMALATHA REDDY

ILLUSTRATING A FLAWLESS TRANSITION FROM ACADEMICIAN TO ADMINISTRATOR

ducation is the sum total of everything that you learn within the classroom and outside of it. What you learn aside from textbooks and blackboards largely contributes to the kind of person you grow up to be. Thus, there is an enormous onus on an educator in shaping a responsible individual. However, Dr. P. Hemalatha Reddy has been fulfilling this role to the hilt. “Education cannot be confined to the boundaries of a classroom. It includes experiences outside these boundaries and the ability of the individual to deal with these experiences. As a teacher, I strongly believe that in addition to giving the requisite information to students about the respective subject, a teacher should also help the students to become righteous and independent in their thought process. I am so happy that many of my students are placed very well around the world more importantly with values and integrity,” says Dr. P. Hemalatha Reddy.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

She continues to say that by being in this position she is fortunate that she can reach thousands of students during their formative years to inculcate good values and train them to differentiate between right and wrong, either directly or through the faculty. “It is often told if we train one good teacher you can train a few generations. This position has helped to make several good teachers who in turn have touched the lives of thousands of students. Students are ambassadors through whom we can reach the community and address the problems very easily,” she adds. Becoming a respectable educator was not a walk in the park for Dr. Hemalatha. With a strong passion for science since childhood, her determination and hard work coupled with unwavering gave her the momentum to follow her heart. “It was difficult at each step right from choosing the course of my choice at Masters level

Higher Education Digest February 2020

to pursuing a Ph.D. after marriage way back and started working as a first-generation working woman. But my passion drove me to explore research to placate my quest to learn more. There has been no turning back from there,” she informs. Currently the Principal of Sri Venkateswara College, Dr. P. Hemalatha Reddy reminisces that while contemplating her career growth, Sri Venkateswara College has proved to be the best bet. “Venkateswara has been a serious science college in the University of Delhi that used to promote academic and research atmosphere. At that time, I thought that this is the platform where I can grow without compromising on personal life. After 31 years, I feel that the college has given me more than what I have expected,” says Dr. Hemalatha.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Wining for the College and Self During her tenure, the college has excelled in the field of research and education. The college has attained DBT STAR in 2011 funded by the Department of Biotechnology. This was then successfully converted to DBT STAR STATUS in 2015 and DBT MENTOR in 2018. The college has been accredited NAAC A grade in 2016 and has also attained top ranks like – being named one of the top 20 institutes in NIRF 2019. “I have been instrumental in bringing several international tie-ups for faculty and student exchanges. We are going pretty strong in Undergraduate research and internationalization. We are heavily funded by DST DBT DRDO. Even though currently the college is providing good research facilities to faculty to work in the areas of

bioinformatics, tuberculosis, and animalplant interaction, we want to extend it further by increasing the number of internships in our SRI VIPRA program. At present we have tie-ups with Martin Luther University Halle, Nordic center (a consortium of 19 universities, and the University of Austria for student and faculty exchanges in teaching programs in social and life sciences. We will extend these programs to many other courses. Ministry of Environment is supporting us in the Homestay project in Kunt village in Almora district, where we are engaged in preserving the local Kumaon culture by renovating their homes and promoting the culture and tourism, thereby helping the locals to accrue revenue. Our college also is fortunate enough to showcase several digital initiatives and moving forward, we will be adding more online courses and MOOCs.â&#x20AC;? she explains. Dr. Hemalatha recalls that while ICT integration and virtual classes were just fairy tales when she was a student, today she witnesses, first-hand, the tremendous change in using technology and social

media. She, therefore, leaves no stone unturned to use technology wherever she can to shift teaching-learning methodologies from rote learning to experiential learning. Confident that India can lead the world in education 4.0, Dr. Hemalatha pinpoints that since India has better numbers of under 25 youth when compared to China and Japan if the said youth are trained properly in soft skills, data science, management and values, this vision is completely doable. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Already India is leading in computer sciences and Biotechnology. we focus more to make people empower and promote overseas projects to transfer back to India,â&#x20AC;? she says. Golden Era for Women Academicians When asked about what she thinks of the current gender disparity in education, Dr. Hemalatha comments that the current academic world is a golden age for women working in science. She rejoices that the enrolment of the girls in higher education is more than 50% in any of the

Higher Education Digest February 2020

higher education institutes, thus displaying that the society is finally understanding girl power. At the same time, she also notes that there still exists a decline in the number as they go up in the career progression ladder. To those who still face resistance, she iterates that the significant barrier to a woman’s success is perception and apprehension. “There are a few challenges, but I always feel women are better managers. They are experts in multitasking and time management. Physical constraints can delay career advancement and productivity for a few years for the diversion of personal time while bringing up the children but cannot stop them grow as leaders if they have the passion and determination. If we have the will and strong conviction anything can be achieved.” She goes ahead and adds that since the women of today come from the second generation of working women in the family, they are bolder, confident, and open to new ideas and opportunities. There are ample opportunities for them to explore because India has established its position at the global forum. They just have to make the right move at the right time. Her message to young Indian women is to never lose hope and utilize time wisely and constructively. She asks them to balance work and family

Higher Education Digest February 2020

time and to, most importantly, reserve some time for yourself. Because, if one is healthy and happy, everything else will follow suit. Gratitude and Perseverance Looking back, she fervently thanks her science teachers who helped her understand her affinity towards science and encouraged her to listen to her heart. “In this journey, I met some wonderful people at the beginning of my career who mentored me towards undergraduate teaching and research and further to contribute in quality science teaching at national and international levels later,” she says. Being an academician, she initially found it very different to adapt to the role of an administrator. However, over the years she has turned out to be an efficient team leader by winning the confidence of all stakeholders, achieving targets, and keeping up the pace. “I have decided not to deviate however difficult it is but to go forward without compromising the principles. The last decade taught me to take the team ahead in spite of the difficulties we face while walking in this path. I now know that nothing is impossible if you pour your heart and soul into it.” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Dr. T. MYTHILI

HELPING STUDENTS

FIND THEIR

IKIGAI

he mark of a true educator is the ability to shape students to be better human beings. Teaching them valuable lessons that go beyond textbooks. Dr. T. Mythili, Director of Student Affairs, SRM Institute of Science and Technology is one such individual who has strived through her efforts to shape tomorrow’s promises. “Young minds are the greatest resource that we have, and it is they who can make or mar the future,” she says. Years back, while weighing in on her career option, she realized that the opportunity to shape young minds is the best career one can opt for. Since then, every class that she handled was a learning experience, shaping Mythili into Dr. Mythili, the brilliant educator she has now come to be.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Dr. Mythili joined the SRM group in 1995. Since then she has played a pivotal role in helping the institute set remarkable milestones. SRM Group shared her belief that the purpose of education is to ensure young minds are sensitive, empathetic, and responsible. SRM saw a kindred spirit in Dr. Mythili because they entrusted her with helping the Group set up a Career Development Centre [CDC] about a decade ago. This taught her an important lesson; hear out the students’ aspirations and dreams rather than push them into career roles that were the norm then. “As part of the CDC requirement we designed a soft skills course that was purely practical. Our students turned quite emotional, when, for the topic ‘Gratitude’, they had to call or meet the person that they wanted to thank.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

It was indeed gratifying to observe that attitudinal change! I feel truly proud to say that this institution has shaped both, me as an individual and my career too. It is the freedom that we are given and the responsibility that comes with it that makes us give our very best. I would rather say the ‘trust’ that they lay on us, is indeed the key driver to achieving the many accolades that come our way,” she comments.

Teaching Mantra and Role Models Given the bond that Dr. Mythili and SRM share, it is no doubt that she holds Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan, President, SRMIST as her role model in her professional life. A dynamic leader and visionary, who always lends an ear to new ideas, Dr. P. Sathyanarayanan’s words ‘Think with your head and execute with your heart’ has furthered Dr. Mythili’s passion for her work. At the same time, her parents’ words, “It is more important to be kind than right” is her mantra. She keeps in mind these words while handling children and has experienced pure magic in the lives of her students. According to Dr. Mythili, the Indian Education system, though the primary objective remains the same, over the years, has seen a sea change. Technological changes, societal changes, peer pressure, and parental expectation have put a lot of onus on the student of today. “In the early days education was the students’ responsibility; what they chose to pursue, their plans for the future etc were their choice. Today a students’ education & future is a shared responsibility of the parent, teachers & student. I would truly want to congratulate those young aspiring minds who are doing their might despite the distractions around them!” she says. Dr. Mythili says that passion is the keyword for all women aspiring to be leaders in their respective fields. Try to identify your Ikigai – where your passion, profession, vocation and mission converge. Ikigai is a Japanese word whose meaning

Higher Education Digest February 2020

PENNY FOR THOUGHT A staunch advocate of education to all, Dr. Mythili firmly iterates that education is every child’s right, irrespective of gender. Given our nation’s Education Policy of ‘ Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability ‘ I think we are making a big difference. The idea has reached the grass root levels that ‘Education is the key to life,’ but how we as a responsible society are going to make it happen, remains to be seen. I think policymakers, educationists, and child right activist can make a world of difference by ensuring that we are providing better education for girls. For instance, at SRM we have thought of everyone as students and never have dealt with them differently. Both boys and girls are at the forefront when it comes to Academics, Cultural or Technical events. National level Cultural fests like MILAN & Tech Fest AARUUSH gives amazing scope for students, irrespective of gender, to explore their potential & stand testimony to the equal opportunity that they have.

translates roughly to a reason for being, encompassing joy, a sense of purpose and meaning and a feeling of wellbeing. Having found her Ikigai at SRM University, she believes that women have an important role to play in the field of education. Statistics say close to 50% of teachers are women, largely because, no bias meant, women tend to connect better with children and with young students, thanks to their broader take on life. Shatter the Glass Ceiling! “Young women are now increasingly grabbing strategic roles in decision making, problem-solving, and research. However, these roles do come with their share of obstacles. The most obvious one being the ‘glass ceiling’. It is not hard to break this, but it seems like slow progress to us because we women have the bad habit of listening to others and failing to hear what our true self says. This mental hurdle significantly weighs us down. So as young

aspiring leaders, know your strength, give your 100%, and put your best forward. The rest will fall in place,” she adds. Having worked closely with students for over two decades now, she hopes to make her students’ dreams come true. When asked if her dream was too idealistic to be true, she laughs and says that today’s youngsters can work wonders if they truly believed in their potential. It is towards this that she directs all her efforts at. She says that it takes all types to make the society so she strives to guide the academic ones to reach their best possible heights and to those wanting to follow their passion, provide the best of opportunities to excel in their field of passion. “More than their career what matters is these young minds becoming responsible citizens of the country and world, who can contribute significantly to society. This has been my plan till now and will continue to be so forever!” she concludes.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

YOUNG ACHEIVERS

Helping Women Comfortably Sail the Crimson Wave By Navya Venkatesh

A 64

ccording to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were 355 million menstruating women in India in 2018. A National Family Health Survey (NFHS) survey last year found that 62 percent of women in the 15-24 age group use unsuitable products for menstrual protection. Poor hygiene during periods often causes physiological and psychological repercussions like reproductive tract infections, depression, fear, and frustration, low confidence and restricted mobility. This eventually leads to school absenteeism and low workforce participation of menstruators. Additionally, there are deep-rooted taboos which exist, perpetuated by cultural context, lack of knowledge and patriarchy. With education and society being closely interlinked, education systems reflect the beliefs of society. With a culture of silence around sexuality and menstruation in society, education also replicates that silence- with very brief knowledge being mentioned in school curriculum, teachers skipping over or not exploring indepth topics related to sexual and reproductive health and a dearth of focus on making the knowledge inclusive. Hence the taboos continue across urban and rural areas, irrespective of income and literacy levels. Living in the 21st century, we have seen society evolve around us substantially. Nowadays, everyone addresses social issues out in the open but the topic of periods or sexual and reproductive health is still hushed up. They quickly wrap it up or change the topic, like in the olden days. Calling menstruation everything other than the word itself and showing blue liquid instead of blood on sanitary napkin advertisements makes us go back to square one, despite our society developing on so many levels. Lack of awareness about menstruation and menstrual hygiene is pretty evident in India. Although the urban and upper-class population use sanitary napkins, women in rural areas are still using rags, ash, straw etc. Most times if cloth is used, it is not dried in the sun as menstruators feel ashamed and embarrassed, which can lead to multiple infections and put their lives in danger Meet Alakshi Alakshi Tomar started out in the corporate world, and as an Accenture employee, felt a deep urge to solve the various problems she observed in society. She started volunteering to teach people with disabilities on job skills, an experience which transformed her and she realised her â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;callingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

TruCup is not just about menstrual cups, it also focuses on menstrual health education, body positivity, sexual and reproductive health

Alakshi Tomar

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Alakshi decided to quit her job and join the Gandhi Fellowship, working to improve the quality of education in government schools in Mumbai. While working with schools and living in slum communities during her Gandhian Fellowship, she saw the massive neglect around menstrual hygiene and health. Facing outright discrimination, infrastructural and mobility challenges, myriad taboos were commonplace during ‘that time of the month’ - girls were not allowed to take a bath during periods orinteract with elders and men. She dug deeper, mobilised a team of peers, conducted awareness workshops and collaborated with local politicians to set up a low-cost sanitary napkin manufacturing unit, with a few women running it. But she failed to make the unit sustainable as most of the workers dropped out. The women, while willing to be trained and run the enterprise, were restricted by their families, the community leaders, but also by their own confidence and conditioning.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

This experience, gave her a unique insight into the power of education and skill development to break the cyclical poverty. However, with the repeated emergence of rampant marginalization of women, during her stay in the Mumbai slums for 3 months as a part of Community Immersion during the Fellowship, she realized that without mobility and freedom, achieving any goal becomes extremely tough. This made her commit to the issue of menstruation and women’s livelihood for the long-term. In another part of the world, Shivangi, a yoga teacher, dive enthusiast, and Alakshi’s friend, lived a fast-paced life until she got her periods. The crippling pain before and during that time made her tired and weak, and she ended up wasting an entire week because of it. She decided to give menstrual cups a shot after learning about the importance of Menstrual Hygiene and Education. The cups were safe, comfortable and she felt like she got an extra week every month!

How It All Startedâ&#x20AC;Ś Like most urban women, Alakshi and Shivangi, Co-founder of TruCup, used sanitary napkins until they started using menstrual cups, which changed their mindset completely. A chance WhatsApp conversation between the two made them realize that they were the only two people using menstrual cups in their group of 15 friends from school. They felt that there was an urgent need to create the perfect cup for all the menstruating women in the world. The Cup solved all the problems they had identified previously- accessible & safe menstrual product, affordable as it lasted for 8 years, comfortable, helping with mobility during periods and taboo-shattering, THE panacea for all menstrual problems! Hence came TruCup, a company built for every menstruator who is conscious about the products they use and how damaging it is to their body and the environment. Alakshi advocates promoting healthy, positive and sustainable period practices among all menstruators. TruCup was established to scale menstrual solutions across South Asia. She is passionate about tapping into the deepest potential of women, which is limited by patriarchy and social constructs of caste, class, and religion. Not An Easy Task To Accomplish Though menstrual cups are easy to use and a much healthier option for women, Alakshi noticed that changing mindsets and consumer habits was one of the major challenges for TruCup. Compared to sanitary pads and cloth pads, TruCup claims to not cause any discomfort as it is inserted inside the body and canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be felt. But owing to the misplaced religious and cultural beliefs, along with conditioning around the body and the age-

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Living in the 21st century, we have seen society evolve around us substantially. Nowadays, everyone addresses social issues out in the open but the topic of periods is still hushed up

old taboo related to virginity, many girls feared to use the menstrual cups. Also, during awareness workshops, a lot of girls would tell Alakshi that their mothers would never allow them to use menstrual cups. Though they are not able to convince them quickly, slowly and surely, some of the women were able to break through the conditioning and started using their TruCups. More Than Just Menstrual Cups TruCup is not just about menstrual cups, it also focuses on menstrual health education, body positivity, sexual and reproductive health. With their TRUSocial program, they enable, empower, and enlighten menstruators by educating them with in-depth knowledge, tools, processes, products for menstrual management towards positive menstruation in rural and urban communities. With this, TruCup intends to make menstruation inclusive for all genders, hence using the word “menstruators”. This acknowledges that not all menstruators are women and not all women menstruate. Also, they plan to include men in the conversations, addressing their questions, encouraging them to engage with issues related to menstruation and getting their support to spread the word. TruCup is also spreading awareness about menstruation by giving in-depth knowledge about

Higher Education Digest February 2020

menstruation management through partnerships. They have also been collaborating with various NGOs, Corporate houses and the Government to host workshops on Menstrual Hygiene. Menstruation has been a topic of taboo for a long time. Taking care of yourself, during menstruation or any other day, is immensely important. Even a little negligence in managing your menstrual hygiene can harm your body to a great extent. The importance of menstrual hygiene is not properly acknowledged and is not given the attention that it needs. Empowering women through education and involving them more into the decision-making process can play a huge role in improving the menstrual health in a community and overcome the taboos related to menstruation. It is extremely important to create awareness about good menstrual practices for a better tomorrow for menstruators out there. With the revolution for women’s health on the way, Alakshi aims to educate rural and urban women about the benefits of menstrual cups and other reusable menstrual products, for the environment and their health in the long run. With TruCup, she intends to form a tribe of healthy and confident menstruators. Alakshi’s vision of promoting menstrual health among rural women is highly praiseworthy and she continues to be an inspiration to everyone around her!

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Ar. VIDYA SINGH

FINDING THE SILVER LINING IN THE DARKEST OF CLOUDS

t is said that the difference between life and school is that in school you’re taught a lesson and then given a test, whereas in life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. Tests in life vary from competing in male dominated profession to losing your loved one. Of this, the death of your loved one is the hardest test of all. Somebody once said that when someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. When Vidya Singh lost her 21-yearold son in 2007, she was beyond devastated. She felt an emptiness so pronounced in her life that she was constantly searching for a purpose for her existence. Though her Consultancy practice kept her occupied but still there was a void. It was during this adversity that she got an offer for teaching. Although reluctant at first, she accepted the post and started teaching. It was after joining that she realized that she had finally found her

Higher Education Digest February 2020

purpose. Cherishing the treasures of her son’s memories, Vidya took a fresh perspective towards life and since then has been enjoying teaching and shaping students to be better individuals. Today, Vidya Singh is the Dean of Faculty of Architecture & Planning at Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Raipur. She aims to shape sensible architects who can in turn shape a better tomorrow. It is truly commendable that she has spent her entire 30+ years of career life preaching and practicing professional ethics and core family values. “My effort has always been towards making a person realize the importance of values and ethics to live a contented life. And by the blessings of God, I have been able to achieve the purpose. My students, friends, family members, and even people around me have been influenced by my positivity and motivation,” she says.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

When she faltered, there were a couple of strong hands that helped her stand up. She looks up to these people as her role models. They are her 92-year old father and 82-year-old mother, an electrical engineer who lived his life on principles and a strong, wise, well-read, kind-hearted lady. She smiles when she says that her mother is truly the backbone of the family. She also looks up to her late uncle, who was known for his honesty and ethics. On the professional front, she holds Dr. Ujwala Chakradeo, Principal of S.M.M.College of Architecture, Nagpur, and her Architecture classmates as her pillars of support. She reminisces that while she was a student she had to sit through yearly examinations and was fortunate

Higher Education Digest February 2020

to have been mentored by very senior and experienced teachers who took time to explain the minutest detail of subjects, hold further discussions, and help out in long studio hours. However, in the present day, with the current trend of semester examinations introduced by UGC, teachers find it hard to teach Design subjects to its minutest detail. Moreover, thanks to the deluge of information, students rather surf the net than have conversations with their teachers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What is sad is that everything you see on the internet that comes labelled as fact is not true. Rather, if students sifted through the library books and shared their ideas with teachers it would create a powerful and ebullient atmosphere of knowledge sharing,â&#x20AC;? she comments.

Vidya joined Amity Raipur on 1 May 2017, when the opportunity to establish a school of Architecture knocked on her door. Coupled with her 3 decades of industry experience and 10 years of academic experience with her strong management qualities, she instantly realized that she could do justice to the trust bestowed on her by the Hon’ble Chairman of Amity University Chhattisgarh Raipur, Dr. Aseem Chauhan. She strongly believes that success comes to those who keep on performing their duties with sincerity, honesty and hard work. Speaking of gender equality, she says, “No discrimination at Amity as it offers equal opportunities to both . Our studio environment is always buzzing with creative work, brainstorming sessions to discuss ideas and concepts. Hence, we never felt any gender difference. Even in the construction yard activity girls work at par with boys.”

Ar. Vidya has been recognized for her fantastic work in the field of education. However, she has also helped students collect accolades for the college and themselves through her constant guidance and mentoring. Some of these are:

• Students of Architecture won Best New college at the entry-level in Zonal NASA (National Association of Students of Architecture) in 2017. • Students participated in a design competition organized by Everest and won recognition. • Students of Interior Design won Best Design trophy at INTFEST, 2019 • Students won first and second place in the IIID design competition. • Students bagged best delegate awards at MUN held at 2 different places. • Students were a part of the AUC team who won different prizes at InterUniversity sports activity. • Invited by National Summit on Innovation by Smart City Raipur where the students presented an innovative idea on green spaces. • Signed an MOU with Raipur Smart City where students would undertake internships and also Institutional Consultancy Cell would get few projects. This MOU is the outcome of the innovative ideas presented by the students. • Ar. Vidya is a speaker at Innovation Summit organized by Smart City Raipur. • Ar. Vidya was Invited as a panelist by FOID. • Ar. Vidya was felicited by the Chhattisgarh Watch, a daily news channel.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

PENNY FOR THOUGHT Vidya observes that while the teaching field is still the preferred career option for non architect and Architect women, due to safe and secure work atmosphere, good salary, number of holidays, and the prospect of matching their academic calendar to that of their children. However, the same cannot be said for Architectural Professional Practice. She says, “Starting an independent Architectural firm is little difficult and, unfortunately, our girls are not trained to take decisions independently. There still exist a lot of apprehensions and pullbacks for girls to venture into professional practice. And hence lot of disparity is seen in the percentage of girls taking admission and number of females coming to Industry. I wish to work further on this cause. But it is hearty to see that young women are increasingly becoming smarter and more adaptive, venturing into various fields, and becoming serious researchers.” She advises young women pursuing

their passion to not stop fighting for what they want. Each battle teaches you a lesson; The more you struggle, the better and wiser you become.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Vidya has always been keen on giving back to society as she strongly believes in giving back more than what she receives. She believes that this transfer of knowledge & experience is what has kept our culture & traditions alive for 5000 years. She iterates that contributing to social cause is everyone’s responsibility. As the Founder President of the Rotary Club, she was involved in various activities that helped society. In association with her previous Institute, she established COWA- Consortium of Women Architects, a platform that addresses women architects’ issues and assists them to find their footing in professional practice. Similarly, with Amity, she has established a Public Library at Math, a next-door village through which she conducts various activities like promoting education, literacy, storytelling, fun learning, good and habits, the importance of hygiene, and returning to one’s roots for a better quality life. However, it is her “Miraaj Foundation”, which she started in memory of her son, that she holds dear. The foundation used to design activities to overcome loneliness in life. Even though she could not take it further due to various reasons, the foundation has a special place in her heart.

Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business? 75

Higher Education Digest February 2020

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

5 Teach-from-Home Opportunities for Women to Look Out for in 2020 By Maathangi Iyer, Diversity Champion, uFaber Edutech

he education landscape in India is on the brink of a major transformation, what with the fervent strides EduTech is making across all aspects, from empowering teachers with intuitive aids of delivery to providing students with top-notch study material. Rapid internet penetration even in the relatively underdeveloped regions of India has only helped spearhead the e-learning trend. Having incorporated flexibility in a rather rigid educational system, remains, by far, one the biggest achievements of EduTech. This is giving a new leash of life to mentors, especially women, who had been cut off from the mainstream due to various reasons, personal or otherwise. Teachers need no longer be confined by long commute hours or inflexible teaching schedules; they can now earn a decent buck while working from the comforts of their home. Here are five work-from-home opportunities for female mentors that will be in demand in 2020. 1. Online English Tutors English is a universal business language and is, therefore, a must-have skill for professionals who want to build a good career for themselves. Especially in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day and age, ruled by a strong undercurrent of globalization, oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hold on English communication can make or break their career. However, most Indian professionals, despite having a decent knowledge of English, struggle when it comes to communicating fluently, be it orally or in writing. This extends to freshers too who find it hard to get a job because of poor communication skills. In fact, according to a recent survey by Aspiring Minds, 50% of engineering freshers lose out on jobs because of lack of English language skills. As such, skilled mentors who have a strong command over the language are and will continue to be in demand as the English language continues to stay one of the most sought-after skills.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

Several online skilling programs provide platforms to reskill/upskill professionals and help them earn while working at their own convenience

Maathangi Iyer

An MBA in Human Resources and with around 16+ years of experience, Maathangi has worked with Multinational companies such as Genpact & Infosys. She strongly believes in the importance of the role of a teacher as a mentor. Maathangi advocates for a diverse workplace. She believes that Workplace Diversity brings about diversity in thoughts which in turn exponentially increases the number of creative ideas & innovative thoughts within the company.

Higher Education Digest February 2020

2. English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutors A lot of students and professionals who wish to establish a fulfilling career in foreign countries (English-speaking ones) must get through tests like Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In fact, over 3 million candidates from across 140 countries appear for the IELTS alone! These tests are as tough as they can get and there are no shortcuts to clearing them. To address this need, several ESL courses have come up online. Learning a new language is always a daunting task. Thankfully, the online ecosystem provides enough room and resources to make learning a fun and interactive process. However, there is still a dearth of good mentors skilled enough to teach students from non-English speaking countries to read, write, understand, and speak English more fluently. So, if you possess a strong hold on English grammar, vocabulary, and communication, and have a passion for the language, this can be your job. A typical ESL tutor online can earn anywhere between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 per hour, working at their own convenience! 3. K-12 Tutors Once restricted to higher education, online learning has now started disrupting the K-12 space. The landscape of K-12 learning in India is going through a revolutionary makeover right now, thanks to the evolution of several digital learning formats, from interactive games and hands-on learning methodologies to intuitive learning management systems. The rapid growth of the online K-12 space is predominantly because the online space recognizes and accommodates every student’s individual learning pace. Add to it the ecosystem’s power of making education fun and interactive, it’s only imperative that more and more students will be drawn to this space. Students from primary classes to Class 12 are now actively leveraging websites and apps in their search for excellent tutors. The time can’t be riper for teachers to start exploring such websites and put their skills to better use. 4. Competitive Exams Tutors The competitive exams scenario in India is huge. Nearly 25 lakh students appear for JEE and

Higher Education Digest February 2020

NEET exams alone every year. With the advent of EduTech, the scene is poised to experience a remarkable transformation, with more and more students preferring the online medium to prepare for the exams. In fact, a recent study by Gradeup revealed that over 90% students prefer online modes of learning for exam preparation than offline coaching classes. The reasons for this are a quite apparent: convenience, accessibility, and affordability. Coaching classes too are gradually moving online, as several mentors find the space more intuitive and resourceful. However, this trend is still in its nascent phase and the demand for online coachers proficient in teaching for competitive exams is soaring. 5. Online Curriculum Developers Online curriculum developers work closely with teachers, administrators and content creators to develop engaging and interactive learning materials. While EduTech is on the rise, it has its own set of challenges; given the ecosystem’s dynamic nature, every e-learning platform must constantly update its content to keep it engaging, lest they run the risk of becoming irrelevant in the space. This is where curriculum developers step in; their job is to develop courses in such a way that they can be constantly updated with newer, more engaging material while sticking to the core of the subject. An online curriculum developer can earn anywhere between INR 40,000 and 60,000 in a month. It is an ideal job for teachers who have spent a significant amount of time developing their own materials. To the future That EduTech is transforming the way India learns is amply clear. It is also enabling thousands of female teachers, who were otherwise confined to a stagnant lifestyle due to various reasons, to build enduring careers doing what they love the most. In fact, several online skilling programs like eMaester are providing a platform to reskill/upskill such professionals and helping them earn anywhere between INR 10,000 and 50,000 per month while working at their own convenience. Thanks to technology, we’re all hopefully inching closer to a future where there is no dearth of opportunities for anyone. Fingers crossed!

Higher Education Digest February 2020